Quote
...... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence. ~ Mourning Dove Salish
The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us.... Big Thunder Wabanaki
Ouray (Your-ay)
Ouray, Colorado pop. 1,000+, a beautiful town high in San Juan the mountains of southwest Colorado is named after the Chief of the Ute Indian tribe. Chief Ouray became a chief in 1859 with the death of his father, and remained a chief until his own death in 1880.
When he was about 18 Ouray traveled into Colorado, and became a member of the Tabeguache Ute band, where his father, despite his Apache heritage, had become the leader. Ouray's first wife, Black Mare, died soon after the birth of their only child, a boy named Queashegut, After the death of his wife, Ouray married Chipeta, "White Singing Bird" in the Ute language, then sixteen. Chipete who was actually a Kiowa Apache who had been adopted by the Ute as a child
With the discovery of gold in Colorado, conditions for the Ute changed dramatically as miners flocked upon their lands. In the spring of 1878, Nathan Meeker assumed the role of Indian Agent at the White River Agency. "Dictatorial” in his brand of management, Meeker undiplomatically tried to force the Ute to farm, raise stock, discontinue their pony racing and hunting forays, and send their children to school. Meeker, persisted in forcing his reforms, even when warned that he was making the Utes furious. Meeker ignored the warnings and ordered that a horse racing track be plowed under to convert to farmland. He also suggested to one that there were too many horses, and that they would have to kill some of them. A fist fight ensued.
As a result, Meeker wired for military assistance, claiming that he had been assaulted by the Ute man, driven from his home, and severely injured. The government responded by sending 200 troops led by Major T.T. Thornburgh. However, perceiving this action as an "act of war,” the Utes revolted. On September 29, 1879, before the troops arrived, the Indians attacked the agency, burned the buildings, and killed Meeker and nine of his employees. The incident is still known as the Meeker Massacre. Though Ouray had sent orders to the Ute band involved in the attacks to stop, his orders were ignored. Afterwards, he did his best to keep the peace but it was too late. Area settlers demanded the Utes’ removal.
Although Ouray sought reconciliation between peoples, with the belief that war with the whites likely meant the demise of the Ute tribe, other, more militant Utes, considered him a coward and called him The White Man's Friend. Each time he bargained with Washington he ended up loosing tribal land, but he prevented war and did his best to keep both side placated. He was known as the Peaceful Indian.
Ute History Museum
The History Museum of the Ute tribe is located in Montrose, CO, and is operated by the Colorado Historical Society. Unfortuately the museum has been closed for repairs and updating since 2015. The reopening is scheduled for late 2016.
Approximately 12,000 people visit the Ute Indian Museum each year,, making it both a tourist destination and a significant economic contributor to the City and County of Montrose. The Museum is unique in that it is one of the few non-tribally managed museums in the nation that is devoted to the interpretation of one indigenous group -- the Ute people -- while serving a growing community as a tourism and educational hub. Over 1,000 regional school children are served through field trips and in-class experiences every year. Festivals and free days are regularly offered at the Ute Indian Museum, including annual Colorado Day celebrations on August 1st, and events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November.
The State of Colorado has appropriated $2.9 million to renovate the Ute Indian Museum building. The expanded Museum will make connections between past and contemporary Ute life and culture and the Ute peoples’ history of adaptation and persistence. The 60-year-old exhibits will be replaced with new ones unfolding around a central theme of geography, and highlighting Ute cultural survival, political self-determination, economic opportunity and the celebration of the Bear Dance. The Museum will be available to the community as a regional gathering place.
Wish I'd Said That
Love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.
When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
If you can’t convince them, confuse them.
Contacts
We want to hear from you, leave your remarks and question under the menu tab "Contact Us"
...... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence. ~ Mourning Dove Salish
The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us.... Big Thunder Wabanaki
Ouray (Your-ay)
Ouray, Colorado pop. 1,000+, a beautiful town high in San Juan the mountains of southwest Colorado is named after the Chief of the Ute Indian tribe. Chief Ouray became a chief in 1859 with the death of his father, and remained a chief until his own death in 1880.
When he was about 18 Ouray traveled into Colorado, and became a member of the Tabeguache Ute band, where his father, despite his Apache heritage, had become the leader. Ouray's first wife, Black Mare, died soon after the birth of their only child, a boy named Queashegut, After the death of his wife, Ouray married Chipeta, "White Singing Bird" in the Ute language, then sixteen. Chipete who was actually a Kiowa Apache who had been adopted by the Ute as a child
With the discovery of gold in Colorado, conditions for the Ute changed dramatically as miners flocked upon their lands. In the spring of 1878, Nathan Meeker assumed the role of Indian Agent at the White River Agency. "Dictatorial” in his brand of management, Meeker undiplomatically tried to force the Ute to farm, raise stock, discontinue their pony racing and hunting forays, and send their children to school. Meeker, persisted in forcing his reforms, even when warned that he was making the Utes furious. Meeker ignored the warnings and ordered that a horse racing track be plowed under to convert to farmland. He also suggested to one that there were too many horses, and that they would have to kill some of them. A fist fight ensued.
As a result, Meeker wired for military assistance, claiming that he had been assaulted by the Ute man, driven from his home, and severely injured. The government responded by sending 200 troops led by Major T.T. Thornburgh. However, perceiving this action as an "act of war,” the Utes revolted. On September 29, 1879, before the troops arrived, the Indians attacked the agency, burned the buildings, and killed Meeker and nine of his employees. The incident is still known as the Meeker Massacre. Though Ouray had sent orders to the Ute band involved in the attacks to stop, his orders were ignored. Afterwards, he did his best to keep the peace but it was too late. Area settlers demanded the Utes’ removal.
Although Ouray sought reconciliation between peoples, with the belief that war with the whites likely meant the demise of the Ute tribe, other, more militant Utes, considered him a coward and called him The White Man's Friend. Each time he bargained with Washington he ended up loosing tribal land, but he prevented war and did his best to keep both side placated. He was known as the Peaceful Indian.
Ute History Museum
The History Museum of the Ute tribe is located in Montrose, CO, and is operated by the Colorado Historical Society. Unfortuately the museum has been closed for repairs and updating since 2015. The reopening is scheduled for late 2016.
Approximately 12,000 people visit the Ute Indian Museum each year,, making it both a tourist destination and a significant economic contributor to the City and County of Montrose. The Museum is unique in that it is one of the few non-tribally managed museums in the nation that is devoted to the interpretation of one indigenous group -- the Ute people -- while serving a growing community as a tourism and educational hub. Over 1,000 regional school children are served through field trips and in-class experiences every year. Festivals and free days are regularly offered at the Ute Indian Museum, including annual Colorado Day celebrations on August 1st, and events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November.
The State of Colorado has appropriated $2.9 million to renovate the Ute Indian Museum building. The expanded Museum will make connections between past and contemporary Ute life and culture and the Ute peoples’ history of adaptation and persistence. The 60-year-old exhibits will be replaced with new ones unfolding around a central theme of geography, and highlighting Ute cultural survival, political self-determination, economic opportunity and the celebration of the Bear Dance. The Museum will be available to the community as a regional gathering place.
Wish I'd Said That
Love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.
When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
If you can’t convince them, confuse them.
Contacts
We want to hear from you, leave your remarks and question under the menu tab "Contact Us"